I have designated July "reading month." I've been working on a few things and have been spinning my wheels a bit. I took a look at the piles of books and magazines I've accumulated and ignored and decided July, with all the running to and from activities and family vacations, would be a great time to tackle the pile. While we are now several days into July, I've not been as productive in my reading quest as I'd like though have plowed through several magazines in my pile. Many of the books awaiting my perusal include PAGE AFTER PAGE by Heather Sellers, THE SLIPPERY ART OF BOOK REVIEWING by Mayra Calvani and Anne K. Edwards and LIVING WRITE by Kelly L. Stone.
Do you have any other suggestions I should add to my list? I always enjoy hearing what others find helpful so please share if there is a book that has been particularly useful to you.
Thanks and enjoy the remaining days of summer.
Showing posts with label Kelly L. Stone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kelly L. Stone. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Writer Self-Image
I started reading Kelly L. Stone's LIVING WRITE: THE SECRET TO INVITING YOUR CRAFT INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE a long time ago but, for a variety of reasons and projects, haven't gotten back to it in some time. I picked it up this morning to browse through what I've read thus far and in what direction the book heads next. I found some highlighted words that really hit home.
Ms. Stone discusses the writer's self-image and the importance of a positive image of oneself as a writer. She further suggests that it is essential to have a positive self-image as a writer to bring writing into one's daily life as a habit. I couldn't agree more. If one views oneself as a writer, one is more apt to live and work as a writer.
Per Ms. Stone, "To create a successful Writer Self-Image, you have to behave like a writer by writing or taking some action toward your writing dream every day." Do you? I know I try to though fail miserably some days. Other days, I do very well at focusing on the tasks at hand. Do you suppose the difference is in how I view myself and my time on those days of less productivity? I am a firm believer in self-image playing a role in my level of productivity whether it be in writing or any other avenue pursued. I, for one, would do well to focus more on the positive when working toward accomplishing my goals. Ms. Stone made a firm case for the need to control and understand the emotions underlying the why in why we write..."whatever your reason for writing, whatever your why, the emotions underlying that why are integral to your Writer Self-Image."
Learn and understand your why if you haven't already. I know doing this will help me tremendously as will finishing this book.
Ms. Stone discusses the writer's self-image and the importance of a positive image of oneself as a writer. She further suggests that it is essential to have a positive self-image as a writer to bring writing into one's daily life as a habit. I couldn't agree more. If one views oneself as a writer, one is more apt to live and work as a writer.
Per Ms. Stone, "To create a successful Writer Self-Image, you have to behave like a writer by writing or taking some action toward your writing dream every day." Do you? I know I try to though fail miserably some days. Other days, I do very well at focusing on the tasks at hand. Do you suppose the difference is in how I view myself and my time on those days of less productivity? I am a firm believer in self-image playing a role in my level of productivity whether it be in writing or any other avenue pursued. I, for one, would do well to focus more on the positive when working toward accomplishing my goals. Ms. Stone made a firm case for the need to control and understand the emotions underlying the why in why we write..."whatever your reason for writing, whatever your why, the emotions underlying that why are integral to your Writer Self-Image."
Learn and understand your why if you haven't already. I know doing this will help me tremendously as will finishing this book.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Perfectionism
Perfectionism is the bane of many a writer. Read Kelly L. Stone's wise words in LIVING WRITE: THE SECRET TO INVITING YOUR CRAFT INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE.
"If perfectionism is inhibiting your ability to write every day, list all the reasons why your writing has to be perfect. Then tear up the list, throw it away, and move to your work-in-progress."
Very sound advice, wouldn't you say? I think the physical act of tearing up the list will be very invigorating indeed. I'm going to give it a try. Care to join me?
"If perfectionism is inhibiting your ability to write every day, list all the reasons why your writing has to be perfect. Then tear up the list, throw it away, and move to your work-in-progress."
Very sound advice, wouldn't you say? I think the physical act of tearing up the list will be very invigorating indeed. I'm going to give it a try. Care to join me?
Monday, September 20, 2010
Daily Direction
This morning, as I finally returned to reading LIVING WRITE by Kelly L. Stone, I came across some very sage advice. As a "daily direction," she says:
"When you wake up in the morning, say out loud, 'I feel like writing.' Keep saying it until you actually begin to feel like writing, and then go write!"
Aren't those wise words? For me, the trouble is not the lack of feeling like writing but, rather, in the carving out the time to do so. I believe I will post this mantra on my computer, however, to provide added motivation to do so, to just "go write!"
I hope these words can provide some benefit to all of you whether you experience an issue with the desire to write, finding the time to do so or any other daily obstacle that crosses your path.
"When you wake up in the morning, say out loud, 'I feel like writing.' Keep saying it until you actually begin to feel like writing, and then go write!"
Aren't those wise words? For me, the trouble is not the lack of feeling like writing but, rather, in the carving out the time to do so. I believe I will post this mantra on my computer, however, to provide added motivation to do so, to just "go write!"
I hope these words can provide some benefit to all of you whether you experience an issue with the desire to write, finding the time to do so or any other daily obstacle that crosses your path.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Being a Writer
I just purchased and started reading Kelly L. Stone's LIVING WRITE: THE SECRET TO INVITING YOUR CRAFT INTO YOUR DAILY LIFE. I was on the first page when I found myself inspired and reaching for my highlighter! I went back this morning to re-read what I've highlighted thus far and felt it pertinent to share. As I sit here thinking about a few things that need to get finished around the house and my much needed exercise which I haven't gotten around to yet, her words had particular impact.
"To be a writer, you simply have to write. Just as you don't agonize over when you will have time to shower in the morning because taking a daily shower is a habit, a writer doesn't agonize over how the one page will get written because it's a habit. It's a given. It's part of the daily schedule."
I'm very much looking forward to reading this book and gaining the help I need in making writing a daily habit. How do you do it? If you feel inspired, please leave a comment about what works for you.
Happy writing and habit forming!
"To be a writer, you simply have to write. Just as you don't agonize over when you will have time to shower in the morning because taking a daily shower is a habit, a writer doesn't agonize over how the one page will get written because it's a habit. It's a given. It's part of the daily schedule."
I'm very much looking forward to reading this book and gaining the help I need in making writing a daily habit. How do you do it? If you feel inspired, please leave a comment about what works for you.
Happy writing and habit forming!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Get Acquainted With Your Subconscious
A few weeks ago, I spoke of the odd moments of feelings or thoughts that would pop into my mind every now and again. These subconscious flashes of something have gone on for years with me. It took a very long time to consider them as something positive to cultivate into a story.
In the February 2010 issue of Writer's Digest, Kelly L. Stone, author and mental health counselor, talks of "waking up that subconscious." In an interview in this issue, she discusses the power of the subconscious when it comes to writing and says, "Learning to access your subconscious greatly enhances your creativity because whereas the conscious mind is limited and can attend to only one thing at a time, the subconcious mind operates independently from your conscious mind's field of attention."
I'm going to do my best to allow my subconscious free reign and see where it takes me--hopefully to a major case of writer's cramp because the words are flowing freely! I believe a good start will be to read Kelly L. Stone's book, Thinking Write: The Secret to Freeing Your Creative Mind.
How about you? As the article states, "...Can the unknown corridors of your mind be hidden pathways to creativity?"
In the February 2010 issue of Writer's Digest, Kelly L. Stone, author and mental health counselor, talks of "waking up that subconscious." In an interview in this issue, she discusses the power of the subconscious when it comes to writing and says, "Learning to access your subconscious greatly enhances your creativity because whereas the conscious mind is limited and can attend to only one thing at a time, the subconcious mind operates independently from your conscious mind's field of attention."
I'm going to do my best to allow my subconscious free reign and see where it takes me--hopefully to a major case of writer's cramp because the words are flowing freely! I believe a good start will be to read Kelly L. Stone's book, Thinking Write: The Secret to Freeing Your Creative Mind.
How about you? As the article states, "...Can the unknown corridors of your mind be hidden pathways to creativity?"
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